by JA Low
“How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. I haven’t heard from Liam, he’s kind of disappeared off the face of the earth.”
“That’s good.” Finn’s voice is like steel. “You deserve better than him.”
“Yeah, I do. Maybe one day I’ll find it.” An awkward silence falls between us as we both stare out at the turquoise ocean. We haven’t slept with each other since the day I found out about Liam.
“Your cabana’s a long way away.”
“Um yeah. I made sure it was. I don’t want to be around you guys and those girls. I see enough of it on tour, I don’t need to see it on holiday as well.”
“Yeah, it’s going to get pretty wild. Christian’s organized some crazy surprise for Evan for his birthday.”
“Oh God.” I raise my eyebrows because that could be anything.
“I know, I know.” He takes a sip of his cocktail. “I just wanted to check and make sure you were okay being alone out here.” I stare out at the deserted beach.
“This is the first time in months I’ve had time to myself. Oscar has been in full protective mode.” This makes Finn laugh.
“Why do you think I’ve kept myself away?”
“What do you mean?” Finn sighs.
“Please don’t have a go at Oscar, okay?” My back riles up as I swivel on the daybed, my feet digging into the sand. “Is, I can see it on your face already,” he warns me.
“I’m totally cool,” I say, trying to hide my anger.
“Nope, I’m not telling you,” Finn says.
“What? No! You can’t just start something like that and not finish.”
“Isla, I can see it on your face, you are ready to march over to Oscar’s villa and give him a serve.”
“Just tell me.” My voice rises, but Finn just stares at me and sips is stupid cocktail as if he has all the time in the world. “Tell me or…” I warn him.
“Or what?” He quirks his brow at me, teasing me.
“Or…I’ll…” I look down trying to think of something to use against him. “Or I’ll tickle your toes.” Finn has super ticklish feet.
“You would never.” He stares at me in shock.
“Try me.” There is a silent Mexican standoff between us. Doesn’t last long before I launch myself off the daybed and try for his feet but he stops me. Dropping his cocktail into the sand beside him, he grabs me, flinging us both off the daybed and into the white sand. I squeal as I’m covered in it. His strong hands have my wrists cuffed and his knee is holding my legs spread apart. We are both laughing until I feel his full body against mine and we both fall silent, quickly. We stare at each other, the moments tick by as my heartbeat increases.
“Oscar warned me to stay away from you.”
“What?” I’m kind of appalled.
“After he dropped you at home, while you were asleep he came back to my house and told me to stay away from you.” Oscar never told me this. “He…he pushed me up against the wall when I told him that you were an adult and could do whatever you wanted.” Shit, Oscar would never turn on Finn like that. “He did eventually apologize. Said he knew I wouldn’t touch you.” The lies sink into the pit of my stomach.
“And that’s why you’ve kept yourself away.” He nods. “Was Oscar really that upset over us?” I mean we are adults.
“Honestly, Is, if I had been honest and told him then what had happened, I don’t believe we would be friends now. That’s how pissed he was.” Shit.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put you in that situation.”
“Believe me, Issy, you can put me in that situation any time you like.” His body moves against me. I swallow hard.
“Finn.” His name is a soft whisper as his body rubs against mine.
“I know, Is. I know it’s wrong but…” His hard body presses against mine, harder this time. I wrap a leg around his hip as he grinds on me, pressing him against me. “Tell me to stop.” I shake my head. “Is, please tell me to stop.” Those sea green pools of desire stare down at me, I don’t want to tell him to stop, I want more. I miss his touch. I miss his hands and hard body against mine. His lips. His mouth. Everything. Not sure where I find the will power but I push him off me, he rolls backward into the sand, his chest is moving rapidly, his hand falls across his eyes. It takes a couple of moments for me to sit up and control myself.
“Is this going to be awkward now?” He turns his face to me.
“What do you mean?”
“You know.” I wave my arms at the tropical setting. “What’s going on out there and with who?” Ugh. I feel jealous already. He sits up and rubs his face.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Is. But things are going to get crazy this weekend.” I can read between those lines. He’s going to get wild with those girls. “But…” That word grabs my attention. “But if you want to finish what we just started then I’d happily keep your bed warm at night while we are here.” I’m a little stunned.
“You’d give up all that crazy going on out there for nights with me?” I don’t really believe him. He gives me a smirk and reaches out for me.
“Yeah, I would.”
“Don’t you think the boys would be suspicious?” He shakes his head.
“Honestly, everyone is going to be too fucked up to know what is actually going on.” This makes me frown a little, I’m not sure why I am hesitating. He reaches out to me, his hand palms my cheek. “Just think about it. Meet me tonight by the pool and then we can disappear together.” He leans in and kisses me slowly. “Okay?” I nod in agreement because how can I say no to that. He helps me up from the sand dusting me off, his hands roving over my body which makes me laugh. Then he’s gone.
I have butterflies in my stomach as I approach the main villa. I can hear the music pumping, girls screaming and giggling, the sound of the boys having fun. I relax myself and hope that what I am about to see doesn’t require bleach. Tentatively, I make my way toward the open sliding doors which leads directly into the main villa. I take in a deep breath and prepare myself as I cross the threshold. It’s pretty much what I thought it was going to be, girls in bikinis, boys drinking and having fun. I make my way through the villa trying to find Finn, he did say to meet him by the pool but he wasn’t there. No one pays attention to me as I make my way around the villa and then my eyes land on everything my worst fears thought of. Finn’s on the daybed, his eyes closed and some chick is between his thighs, her head bobbing. I don’t have to be a genius to work out exactly what is going on there. I knew it. I just knew it. I was so stupid to let hope float in my chest, especially so soon after Liam. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve any of this male bullshit. I turn on my heel and hightail it back to my villa.
Fuck you, Finn Connolly. You don’t deserve my heart.
New Year’s Eve
“They bought Evan twins for his birthday. Porn star twins,” I groan into the phone to Vanessa who is killing herself laughing at my predicament. She’s currently in Australia looking after her best friend Sienna, who caught her husband with his ex in the middle of her birthday party. What a dick.
“I know, Christian told me.” I can hear the smile in her voice over the phone.
“Where’s some hot twin porn stars for me? This is one giant dickfest.” This makes Ness laugh even harder.
“I’m glad it’s you and not me.” I mentally flip her the bird through the phone, leaving me here to babysit these dickheads. “Look, the Sons of Brooklyn boys are going to be there. I’m sure one of them would be only too happy to perform for you. It’s pretty obvious Tyler has a crush on you.”
Ah Tyler, that boy is beyond delicious but young. I couldn’t possibly do anything with him. Didn’t stop Finn from getting a BJ from a groupie, why shouldn’t you have some fun. That is a really valid point, brain. The bullshit excuse he gave me in the morning was laughable. He fell asleep on the daybed and woke to some chick between his legs. I think I’ve heard everything. I told him to go fuck himself and told h
im to never bother me again. He knows he fucked up but I don’t even care anymore.
Finn Connolly can suck a dick.
Men suck.
“I can already hear the wheels turning inside your head, Issy. You want to do it, don’t you?” I know if Ness was here she would totally be telling me to forget about Finn and have fun with someone else. “You want to throw a big middle finger to Finn Connolly, don’t you?”
“Hell yeah I do.”
“Good. Then find the sluttiest outfit you can find, make yourself look as hot as fuck and show that man that he messed up for the last time and that you are done with his sorry ass and that someone else is going to appreciate you better than he ever could.”
“Hell yeah.” Ness has me all fired up.
“Now have fun and Happy New Year, you badass bitch.”
191
Isla
Wolf whistles greet me as I make my way up to the pool area.
“Issy, Issy, Issy, you look divine,” Tyler, from Sons of Brooklyn, tells me. I’m not going to lie, my back straightens a little, confidence taking over.
“Thanks. You boys are looking rather handsome yourselves,” I purr, letting my inner sex kitten come to life. The girls draping themselves over the boys are not impressed. Enjoy it while you can ladies. “Where are all the others?” I ask.
“In the main house,” Johnny tells me. “But Issy, it’s um…a little wild,” he warns me. I straighten my back, preparing myself. “I’ll be back,” I tell them. I walk along the deck toward the main house. Along the crooked path which takes me to the back area of the house. I can already hear the shrill sounds of the women and the laughter of the boys. You can do this Issy. It’s your job, you have to check on them. I peer around the corner into the living room of the main house and it looks like a live action porn set; naked bodies, various objects, food, a ton of alcohol. My eyes land on Finn, his lips are on a naked woman who he’s doing tequila shots off. Shake it off, Issy. Sammy, the boy’s bodyguard, walks over to me.
“I’ve everything under control in here.” He gives me a smirk.
“I’m sure you do.”
“Go have fun.” He elbows me. “You deserve it.” He gives me a wink.
“That I do, Sammy, that I do.” I turn on my heel and walk back out to where the Sons of Brooklyn boys are partying.
“How’d it go?” Tyler is standing at the end of the path waiting for me.
“Yeah. Looks like they are all good. I won’t disturb them again.” I give him my best business as usual smile.
“Would you like to go for a walk? It’s a beautiful night.” Tyler asks. I can’t think of a reason for me to say no.
“I’d like that, thanks.” He holds out his hand for me, our fingers entwine as he leads me away from the debaucherous setting behind me.
We reach the end of the garden path that leads us to the beach, he twirls me around and pulls me hard against his chest, piercing blue eyes stare down at me. “Dance with me.” Tyler’s forwardness shocks me, but I kind of like it. Tyler is good looking, all of the Sons of Brooklyn boys are, but if I had to choose, it would be him. The tanned skin, the tattoos, the blond hair, cheeky grin, charming personality, it all makes for one gorgeous package.
“There’s no music.” I feel his hand slide down my back stopping at just the top of my ass.
“I’m a musician, I can make my own.” He starts serenading me. This has to be one of the most romantic scenes anyone has ever created for me. He has a great voice, it’s deep and rich, like velvet, dipped in honey, add that to the outside package and I can see why the girls are going crazy for them. Tyler moves me effortlessly along the path, like he has danced like this for years, every step natural.
“You can dance.”
“Of course I can. I have five older sisters, I had no choice.” This makes me laugh, which gets lost in the warm night air. He turns me again. I feel alive, my hair whipping around my face, my legs exposed by the two dangerously high thigh splits of my black maxi dress. He dips me, and I’m close to a nip slip, the top of my dress has a deep V exposing my nonexistent chest. “You look beautiful tonight.” His lips touch my ear, pulling me closer to his hard body.
“Thank you.” I let myself get taken away even for the briefest of moments by this surprising young man. We dance to a song he is humming, his feet moving in time with his beats. His hips pressed nicely against mine. The stars hang brightly in the dark sky, people are laughing and talking around us but it is only a dull hum. The waves crash ever so gently against the sand, tropical birds say their goodnight for the evening as they find a resting spot in the swaying palms. Tyler pulls me closer, our faces almost touching. “I never thought you would ever agree to dance with me.” His voice is low as he confesses his thoughts to me.
“Why?” I frown at him.
“Because I thought it might be too soon after your ex.” Tyler is being respectful; this is a change.
“I was over him the moment I walked in on him screwing his co-star.”
“I saw that woman; you are ten times more beautiful than her.” He turns us again.
“Thank you.” His kind words warm me.
“If I ever had a woman like you, I would never let her go.” This boy is so sweet.
“Aren’t you Mr. Romantic.” I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Five sisters, I had no choice.” This makes me smile.
“What do they think of you being a rock star?”
“They’re really proud.” He beams with pride. Tyler is not at all what I thought he was.
“And you’re enjoying touring with Dirty Texas.” He nods quickly.
“They have been the best mentors.” This makes me giggle.
“It’s okay, I won’t tell them what you really think.”
“No, they’re good guys. Finn warned me away from you though.” I still.
“What?”
“Yeah, when we arrived they told us you and Vanessa were off limits. But yesterday Finn told me to stay away from you, that you weren’t ready to meet anyone.” My blood boils. “Obviously I didn’t listen.” He pulls me back into his arms. “There’s nothing going on between you and Finn is there? I don’t want to cut anyone’s grass.” I’m beyond pissed at him. How dare he. He’s the one fucking around on this trip.
“Finn and I are friends.”
“Really? He seemed very possessive over you yesterday.” I’ve had enough of talking about Finn Connolly.
“Something happened a million lifetimes ago, but nothing now.” It was the truth, no more Finn Connolly for me. Tyler gives me a dirty smirk, my answer pleasing him. He turns me in his arms, my back facing his as we move against each other.
“So if I wanted to do to this…” His teeth bite my ear lobe gently. “It would be okay?”
“Yes.”
“What about this then?” His lips trail down along my neck lighting a fire under my skin.
“That’s totally fine too.” He then spins me again, this time I step back into his arms, feeling every hard plain of his body against mine. “And if I…” But he doesn’t get to finish his words before my lips are on his, he’s a little shocked but seconds later he is pulling me in tighter against him. His hands are holding me in place, exactly where he wants me. Our lips meld together, each of us starving for the other. He picks me up and shuffles me back a couple of steps, I feel my back hit the brick wall, which is warm from the day’s sun. He presses his hard self against me, my hands anchoring to his jeans, holding him at just the right angle. We eventually pull away from each other; Tyler has a sloppy smirk across his face.
“Let’s go somewhere less public.” He grabs my hand and pulls me urgently along the garden path, my heart is beating quickly, nervous anticipation tingles my skin. The sun’s completely set now, and the stars are shining brightly in all their glory. He finds a secluded daybed on the beach tucked away from the pathway by the foliage. I kick off my heels and jump onto the lounge. Then he’s on top of me, his body
pressing me into the soft cushions, the thigh splits exposing more of me than I anticipated as my legs wrap around his waist, holding him in place. This is what I needed, the perfect make out session. We pull apart for the briefest of moments, both of us breathless from our kisses.
“We need some drinks.” He looks around looking for a butler. I’m a little disappointed that is what he is thinking in this moment, but he’s right, I am quite parched. “Here.” Pointing to the buzzer beside the bed, I press the red call button and within a minute there is someone appearing from the bushes. We place our orders and sit back and enjoy the peaceful surrounds.
“I’ve had a crush on you from the moment I saw you,” Tyler confesses as we wait for our drinks.
“Really?” Butterflies tickle my tummy.
“But you were out of my league.” He gives me a cheeky grin. “I asked around about you and found out you were engaged to a movie star. Who can compete with that?” I place my hand on Tyler’s arm.
“Hello, you are one of the biggest bands out there at the moment. You’re pretty famous yourself.” He gives me a self-depreciating shrug.
“Doesn’t mean shit when you see a pretty lady.”
“Tyler.” His words are sweet. Our drinks arrive just in time, Tyler pops the bottle of champagne and fills the glass.
“To new beginnings.” We clink our glasses together.
Tyler and I end up spending the night chatting together, in between kisses. I was honest with him because I knew he had a crush on me and I told him that I wasn’t looking for a relationship; that I was only looking for some fun. He understood; said all he could really give me was fun seeing as he is on the road so much. He just wanted to hang out with someone who wasn't after him for who he was, what he had, or that he was a name to be ticked off a list. He just wanted to hang out with a girl like he used to before fame came into it. I totally understood what he meant; I’ve seen the boys go through the exact same struggles with the groupies. He was happy to be able to just let his guard down, if only for one night. In between kisses, we spoke about music, his future plans, family, pretty much anything and everything you could think of for a first date kind of scenario and before we knew it, fireworks were being let off around the island as the New Year rang out.
